'Riyal'ity Check: 'Posh' Couple from 'Gulf' Con Bangalore Traders

Bangalore, Aug 7 (Bangalore Mirror): Police are hunting for a couple from Old Delhi who have cheated a number of people in Bangalore. The couple visited Bangalore with a 10-day deadline to cheat a minimum of three businessmen. Posing as rich people based in the Gulf, they would dazzle shopkeepers by flashing foreign currency. They would then seek Indian money in exchange for the foreign currency, but hand over white paper instead to their victims.

The accused, Mohammed Rafique, 22, and Reema alias Meena, 23, are accompanied by five aides. All of them are from either Old Delhi or Uttar Pradesh. Rafique, a Std XII dropout, is well versed with the currencies of various countries.

According to sources in Shivaji Nagar police, “This gang enters the city from Uttar Pradesh by train. They take a house on rent posing as a couple. The others are passed off as relatives who are in Bangalore on work. Then they start looking for potential victims.”

They prefer small-time businessmen who can be found in their shops. After shortlisting a few shops, Rafique and an aide would pay a visit to each one dressed up as sheikhs from Dubai. They would be accompanied by Reema who would do the shopping. At the time of billing, they would produce riyals, the Saudi Arabian currency. Reema used to tell the businessman that they had lots of riyals and would like to exchange them for Indian currency.

According to the police, “The businessmen would sense an opportunity to make a profit by getting the riyals at a cheaper rate. The ones who fell for the ruse would be summoned to pick up the riyals (1 riyal=Rs 11). While the deal, involving lakhs of rupees, would be taking place, the gang would create a commotion by claiming that someone had tipped off the police. They would rush through with the deal before disappearing. On checking carefully later, the victim would find riyals only on top of the bundles. The rest would be white paper.”

The gang is suspected of cheating at least 30 businessmen in Bangalore, and more in other cities, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.

The Shivaji Nagar police learnt about the couple and their gang from some other cheats who are also from Old Delhi and UP.